Interconnecting toy block set

ABSTRACT

An interconnecting toy building block set that has as its basis a modular concept and in which the basic module is a cube. Each block-like piece of the set has this cubic construction which further includes appropriately positioned male projections and female recesses. These respective projections and recesses provide the means for interconnecting the various blocks. Several of the block-like pieces also include variously shaped protrusions which, although being framed within the confines of cube of similar size to the basic cube, add distinctively to the overall block shapes. It is principally these distinctive shapes which contribute to the many items that may be formed by interconnecting the blocks.

United States Patent Daenen [451 Mar. 28, 1972 [54] INTERCONNECTING TOYBLOCK SET Primary Examiner- Louis G. M ancene Assistant Examiner-J. Q.Lever Attomey-Leigh B. Taylor, Paul R. Wyiie and Harold R. Beck {57]ABSTRACT An interconnecting toy building biock set that has as its basisa modular concept and in which the basic module is a cube Eachblock-like piece of the set has this cubic construction which furtherincludes appropriately positioned male projections and female recesses.These respective projections and recesses provide the means forinterconnecting the various blocks. Several of the block-like piecesalso include variously shaped protrusions which, although being framedwithin the confines of cube of similar size to the basic cube, adddistinctively to the overall block shapes. it is principally thesedistinctive shapes which contribute to the many items that may be formedby interconnecting the blocks.

9 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures Patented March 28, 1972 3,651,597

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5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG/l JNVEN TOR. P9651191 p/vnw-w I rrap/vfrINTERCONNECTING TOY BLOCK SET This invention relates to a toy buildingblock set and, more particularly, to blocltlike pieces adapted forassembly in removable, interconnecting, interlocking and matingrelationships with each other. These blocks and blocklilte pieces areadapted for such assembly to form almost endless combinations of modularstructures that resemble many typical recognizable items.

The invention encompasses btocklilte pieces that are provided with bothprojections (male members) and recesses (female members) that arecentrally located or positioned on the various sidewall faces of thepieces. The configurations of these male and female members are suchthat a male member carried by one block may be inserted into matingfrictional engagement with a female member carried by another similarblock.

It should also be noted that the construction of the basic blocklikepiece is that of a cube and that this modular concept is repetitivewithin each block or blocklike piece regardlessof its size or shape.Further, and of particular importance to the invention, is the fact thatseveral of the blocltlike pieces are characterized by their distinctiveshapes. As indicated, each block includes a basic cubular portionintegral with which are the male and female members. Several blocklikepieces, however, have variously shaped protrusions integral with andextending from one sidewall face. These protrusions are framed withinthe confines of a cube of similar size to the basic cube but do notincorporate either the male or female members.

The blocks described herein may be hollow or solid or may be composed ofa low density foam. it is also often desirable to brightly color each ofthe pieces, both to add to their visual interest and to provide a colorcode which will assist in their assembly to form various recognizableitems, some of which are set forth hereinafter.

The material from which these blocks are constructed is not critical tothe invention, however, it is generally preferred to fabricate them fromsynthetic resinous materials. of these, the polyolefins, polyvinyls andcellulosics are particularly desirable. These and other similarmaterials are lightweight, easy to clean and keep clean and arerelatively unbreakable in ordinary usage. Further, their naturalresiliency is advantageous in that it aids in the assembly of the blocksand in their effecting and maintaining an interlocking relationship witheach other.

Hollow blocklike pieces of this invention may be easily manufacturedfrom the indicated materials by any one of a number of processes such asblow molding or rotational castmg.

Prior art toy building blocks, although satisfactory in many respects,have failed to provide the child with a variety of distinctively shapedblocks which, when assembled, imaginatively resemble any one of avariety of items or objects. Accordingly, it is the primary objective ofthis invention to provide a toy building block set including suchdistinctively shaped blocks.

Additionally, it is the objective of this invention to provide blocklikepieces that may be assembled in removable interlocking relationship withone another.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will becomemore apparent from the following detailed description and drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one typical assembled block constructionsymbolizing a motion picture camera;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one typical block constructionalso symbolizing the motion picture camera shown in FIG. 1',

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the distinctively shapedblocitlilte pieces hereinafter referred to as a T-R block;

FIG. 4 is a cross section of the TR block taken along line 4-4 of FIG.3;

F l6. 5 is a perspective view of a blocklike piece hereinafier referredto as a T-Y block;

H6. 6 is a side view of the T-( block;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a blocklike piece hereinafter referredto as a C-G block;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the C-G block;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a blocltlike piece hereinafter referredto as a (3-5 block;

FIG. 10 is a back view of the C-8 block;

H6. 11 is a perspective view of a block hereinafter referred to as an8-8 block;

FIG. 12 is a back view of the 8-H block;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the wheel of this invention;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are perspective views of the wheel hub of this inventiondepicting the exterior and interior configurations thereof,respectively.

F265. 1 and 2 illustrate one of the many varied and imaginativecreations I that may be produced with the block set of this invention.For descriptive purposes, each of the blocks and blocltlike pieces havebeen separately designated as follows:

the 'f-R block is generally indicated as 2; the T-Y block as 4;

the OB block as 6; the (3-0 block as 8; the 8-8 block as 10; the wheelsas 12; and the hubs as 14. Each of these elements except for the hub l4may be either solid or hollow as is desired. As indicated, however, ahollow type of construction is preferred.

Particular note should be taken of the fact that because of thedistinctive shapes of the biockiilte pieces 1, 4, 6, 8, and 10, variousblock combinations will provide openings and discontinuities in theblock construction outline. These openings and discontinuities in effectfurnish the imaginative type of structure necessary for the constructionof many recognizable items such as race cars, cameras, pistols, trains,dogs, buses, steam rollers, sewing machines, camels and elephants.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 where the blocklike pieces ofthe invention are interconnected in such manner as to form a motionpicture camera 1, it becomes clearly apparent how important the variedshapes are to the invention. Each block or blocklike piece incorporatesthe modular concept mentioned hereinabove which has as its basis acubical or cubular structure. The basic cube or main body portion 20 maybe in each of the blocks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. However, several of theblocltlike pieces and most particularly the T-R, T-Y, (3-8, and G6blocks further include an outwardly projecting secondary portion 22.These secondary portions are also modular in nature. Therefore, despitethe fact that portions 22 are irregularly shaped, each falls within theconfines of an imaginary cube of approximately the same size as thatwhich makes up the main body portion 20.

Each block further includes a plurality of outwardly extending malemembers 24 and recessed female members 26. As is readily apparent, eachof these members, whether male or female, is centrally located on thesidewall faces 28 of the main body portion 20. The respectivepositioning of the male and female members varies with respect to thesecondary portions 22 of the several blocltlike pieces and this will bediscussed in greater detail below. The respective male and ten-talemembers are sized so that there will be an interlocking relationshipbetween the members upon the interconnection thereof between adjacentlypositioned blocks. Further, each male member 24 may be provided with aplurality of ribs 30 suitably positioned around its perpendicularlyextending peripheral wall 32 (FIG. 4). These ribs are intended toenhance the interlocking characteristics between members.

As has been stressed above, each of the blocks or blocklilte pieceswhich form a part of this invention incorporate a calm- Iar structure ormain body portion 20. The most basic and sin:- plest of these is the 8-5block 10 shown in FIGS. l1 and 12. As may be seen there, this block isformed as a basic cube made up of six sidewall faces 28 and having onerounded corner or edge 32. This block further includes two centrallylocated recessed female members 26. One of these female members ispositioned on one of the sidewall faces that forms the rounded edge 32and the other female member is located on the sidewall face which isopposite to it. It is further preferred that the other sidewall face 28forming the rounded edge 32 be substantially planar and therefore thethree male members 24 may be found to be centrally located on theremaining three sidewall faces of this cubular S-B block 10.

The T-R and T-Y blocklike pieces 2 and 4, respectively, may be best seenin FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6. These blocks are essentially the same exceptfor the respective positioning of the male and female members. As isagain quite apparent, both include a main body portion which forms thebasic cube. Each, however, also incorporates an integral outwardlyprojecting secondary portion 22.

These secondary portions 22 in side elevation, and as may be seen in,for example, FIGS. 3,5 and 6, appear as being T- shaped." As may readilybe seen, the T is comprised of a web 34 and a caplike portion 36. Theweb 34 is integrally formed with and is centrally located on one of thesidewall faces 28 of the main body portion 20. The caplike portion 36 islikewise integral with the web and is effectively the cross for the T.

As has been pointed out above, the secondary portion 22 also complieswith the modular concept of the block design. The top 38 of the caplikeportion, for example, is of approximately the same size and shape as atypical sidewall face 28. Further, the side or end walls 40 of the caplie in approximately the same plane as do the similarly positionedsidewall faces. Thus, it can be seen that two of the sidewalls 40 arepartial planar extensions of the main body portion sidewall faces 28 andin that extension provide two walls for the web 34. Complete compliancewith the concept is, however, maintained by extending the T-shapedsecondary portion from the sidewall face only a distance approximatelyequal to the length ofa main body portion sidewall face.

Similarly to the 8-3 block, the T-R and T-\ blocks also employ aplurality of male and female members 24 and 26, respectively. Thesemembers are centrally positioned on each of five sidewall faces 28. Forexample, T-R block 2 incorporates two female members 26 on the main bodyportion sidewall faces from which the planar secondary portion sidewalls40 extend and three centrally positioned male members 24 on the threeremaining sidewall faces. The T-Y blocklike piece on the other hand hastwo male members 24 positioned on the main body portion sidewall facesfrom which the planar secondary portion sidewalls extend, has two femalemembers 26 positioned on two other opposite sidewall faces, and has athird male member extending from the sidewall face that is opposite thesecondary portion.

The C-B blocklike piece 6 and the C-G blocklike piece 8 (FIGS. 7-10) arealso similarly shaped and differ only with respect to the placement ofthe various male and female members 24 and 26. Each of these blocksagain includes a main body portion 20 and an integrally extendingsecondary portion emanating from one of the sidewall faces of the mainbody. Here, however, the secondary portion 22 in one elevation appearsas an inverted "L" and includes a web and a caplike portion. Thus, theweb 34 is formed by the partial planar extension of two sidewall facesand a full planar extension of another of the sidewall faces.

Similarly to the T-R and T-Y blocks, the caplike portion has a top 38which is of approximately the same size and shape as a typical sidewallface 28. In this instance, though, the mating edge of the planarsidewall extension and top has been smoothly rounded as at 42. Also, itshould be noted that the end wall 40 lies in substantially the sameplane as the similarly positioned sidewall face 28. Thus, it is apparentthat these particular secondary portions also fall within the bounds ofan imaginary cube similar in size to that of the main body portion 20.Such is assured since the distance from its integral sidewall face tothe top 38 is substantially equal to the length of a sidewall face.

Five male and female members are again employed with this blockconstruction. In the C-8 block 6, one recessed female member 26 iscentrally positioned on the sidewall face 28 of the main body portion 20from which the full secondary por tion sidewall extends and the otherfemale member is located on the opposite sidewall face 28. The threemale members 24 are centrally positioned on the three remaining sidewallfaces 28, one of which is opposite the extended secondary portion 22.The CO blocklike piece 8 has male members 24 on opposite sidewall faces,one of which has the integral full secondary sidewall extendingtherefrom. The two female members 26, on the other hand, are centrallypositioned on the sidewall faces from which the partial secondarysidewalls 40 extend, and the third male projection is similarlypositioned on the sidewall face opposite the extending secondaryportion.

The various respective positions of the male and female members 24 and26 are described hereinabove represent the preferred arrangement,however, other similar arrangements may be equally eflective in carryingout the inventive concept. These members have also been illustrated asbeing circular in shape, however, other shapes may be used at thediscretion of the designer, manufacturer. Likewise, it should be pointedout that the rounded corners 32 and 42 add esthetically to theconstructions created but other corners than those designated mightequally well be so rounded.

In addition to the toy blocks described above, it is contemplated thatthis set include several wheels I2 and hubs 14 as are depicted in FIGS.13, I4 and 15. The wheels are typically shaped and include a centeropening 13 into which the male members 24 are adapted to extend.Similarly, the hub 14 also includes a tubular portion I5 that is adaptedto slip into the wheel opening and over the male member. The hub furtherincludes a flange I7 whose diameter is greater than the wheel openingand, when properly positioned, will removably, yet securely, attach thewheel to a male member.

Alternatively, another hub embodiment may include a further extendedtubular portion ofa lesser diameter than that adjacent the flange. Suchfurther extended portion would be of a size that could be securelyinserted into any recessed female member. Thus, the wheel will beretained on the tubular hub portion adjacent the flange and the recessedfemale member.

It is intended that the inside of tubular portion 15 include severalraised ribs which may engage the male member 24 and assist in forming asecure fit therebetween. Similar ribs may also be placed on the exteriorof any extended tubular portion for the same reason.

Accordingly, it is considered that the foregoing description anddrawings have set forth numerous advantages which establish theinventive concept as it is contemplated.

I claim:

1. A blocklike piece adapted to be interconnected with similar piecesenabling the creation of variously constructed shapes and forms andcomprising:

a main body portion ofa substantially cubular configuration and havingat least five connected and substantially planar sidewall faces;

at least one centrally-located outwardly extending male memberpositioned on one of said sidewall faces and at least one centrallylocated and recessed female member positioned on another of saidsidewall faces, said male and female members being adapted forinterengagement so that said blocklike piece may be interconnected withsaid similar pieces; and,

an outwardly projecting secondary portion integral with an an extensionof at least two of said sidewall faces of the main body portion, saidsecondary portion extending a distance approximately equal to the lengthof said sidewall faces and including a web section connecting said mainbody portion with a terminal caplike portion having a top wall and endwalls, said top wall being of approximately the size and shape of asidewall face and said end walls being arranged in such manner as to liein approximately the same plane as do the correspondingly positionedside wall faces of said main body portion.

2. A blocklike piece as described in claim I wherein a plurality of saidmale members are positioned on adjacent ones of said side wall faces.

3. A blocklike piece as described in claim 2 wherein a plurality offemale members are positioned on opposite ones of said sidewall faces.

4. A blocklike piece as described in claim 1 wherein the web of saidoutwardly projecting secondary portion is centrally located.

5. A blockiike piece as described in claim 1 wherein said male member ispositioned on one sidewall face having said substantially planarsidewall extension.

6. A blocklike piece as described in claim 1 wherein said female memberis positioned on one sidewall face having said substantially planarsidewall extension.

7. A blocklike piece as described in claim 4 wherein the web of saidoutwardly projecting secondary portion includes three substantiallyplanar sidewall extensions.

8. A blocklike piece as described in claim 1 wherein the main body andsecondary portions of said piece are made of a hollow synthetic plasticmaterial.

9. A set of interconnected blocklike pieces, some of which comprise:

a main body portion of a substantially cubular configuration and havingat least five connected and substantially planar sidewall faces;

at least one centrally located outwardly extending male memberpositioned on one of said sidewall faces and at least one centrallylocated and recessed female member positioned on another of saidsidewall faces, said male and female members being adapt forinterengagement so that said blocklike piece may be interconnected withsaid similar pieces; and,

an outwardly projecting secondary portion integral with and an extensionof at least two of said sidewall faces of the main body portion, saidsecondary portion extending a distance approximately equal to the lengthof said sidewall faces and including a web section connecting said mainbody portion with a terminal caplike portion having a top wall and endwalls, said top wall being of ap proximately the size and shape of asidewall face and said end walls being arranged in such manner as to liein approximately the same plane as do the correspondingly positionedsidewall faces of said main body portion.

i III I! i i

1. A blocklike piece adapted to be interconnected with similar piecesenabling the creation of variously constructed shapes and forms andcomprising: a main body portion of a substantially cubular configurationand having at least five connected and substantially planar sidewallfaces; at least one centrally-located outwardly extending male memberpositioned on one of said sidewall faces and at least one centrallylocated and recessed female member positioned on another of saidsidewall faces, said male and female members being adapted forinterengagement so that said blocklike piece may be interconnected withsaid similar pieces; and, an outwardly projecting secondary portionintegral with an an extension of at least two of said sidewall faces ofthe main body portion, said secondary portion extending a distanceapproximately equal to the length of said sidewall faces and including aweb section connecting said main body portion with a terminal caplikeportion having a top wall and end walls, said top wall being ofapproximately the size and shape of a sidewall face and said end wallsbeing arranged in such manner as to lie in approximately the same planeas do the correspondingly positioned side wall faces of said main bodyportion.
 2. A blocklike piece as described in claim 1 wherein aplurality of said male members are positioned on adjacent ones of saidside wall faces.
 3. A blocklike piece as described in claim 2 wherein aplurality of female members are positioned on opposite ones of saidsidewall faces.
 4. A blocklike piece as described in claim 1 wherein theweb of said outwardly projecting secondary portion is centrally located.5. A blocklike piece as described in claim 1 wherein said male member ispositioned on one sidewall face having said substantially planarsidewall extension.
 6. A blocklike piece as described in claim 1 whereinsaid female member is positioned on one sidewall face having saidsubstantially planar sidewall extension.
 7. A blocklike piece asdescribed in claim 4 wherein the web of said outwardly projectingsecondary portion includes three substantially planar sidewallextensions.
 8. A blocklike piece as described in claim 1 wherein themain body and secondary portions of said piece are made of a hollowsynthetic plastic material.
 9. A set of interconnected blocklike pieces,some of which comprise: a main body portion of a substantially cubularconfiguration and having at least five connected and substantiallyplanar sidewall faces; at least one centrally located outwardlyextending male member positioned on one of said sidewall faces and atleast one centrally located and recessed female member positioned onanother of said sidewall faces, said male and female members being adaptfor interengagement so that said blocklike piece may be interconnectedwith said similar pieces; and, an outwardly projecting secondary portionintegral with and an extension of at least two of said sidewall faces ofthe main body portion, said secondary portion extending a distanceapproximately equal to the length of said sidewall faces and including aweb section connecting said main body portion with a terminal caplikeportion having a top wall and end walls, said top wall being ofapproximately the size and shape of a sidewall face and said end wallsbeing arranged in such manner as to lie in approximately the same planeas do the correspondingly positioned sidewall faces of said main bodyportion.